LINUXGAMES

Version 0.2.6 of the tactical war game Crimson Fields (screenshots) has been released; changes include:

• computer player actually consumes crystals when building new units
• fixed a subtle bug which would sometimes alter the map in a few places

Crimson Fields 0.2.6 downloads: @ www.lanipage.de

Heavy Cat Multimedia sent in the following announcement concerning their new multi-platform game LadyStar:

Our newest episode, “Rock Out” is now available for download. This episode continues the story of Jessica Hoshi and her new friends, including Ranko Yorouzu, the newest character, plus a special animated sneak preview of the registered version of LadyStar!

Versions are available for Windows, Macintosh and Linux.

All four episodes include the new and updated features of the recently updatedTranquility GTML Game Engine, version 1.01.

• The long-awaited (and now hopefully debugged) inventory system
• Animated Toolbar
• Point-scoring system
• All New Main Menu
• Integrated Help System
• Go Links and Info Links
• Hidden Features

And in today’s first non-emulator-related news… version 0.10.1 of the turn-based, Risk-inspired strategy game Tenes Tenes Empanadas Graciela (screenshots) has been released; changes:

• fixed remote vulnerability
• added Italian translation
• added Portuguese translation

TEG 0.10.1 source: teg-0.10.1.tar.gz

And in today’s first non-Wine related news… Anoakie Ray Turner wrote in to announce that version 1.01 of the SDL-based 8080a simulator SIEmu (screenshot) has been released. From the email: “The 8080a is a processor used in many old arcade machines. This simulator supports some 8080 ROMs, like Space Invaders.”

SIEmu 1.01 source: siemu-1.01.tar.gz

Frank Hendriksen wrote in to announce the release of his WineX Game Installer, a “graphical interface to installing Windows games in WineX.” It gives each installed game its own directory, registry, and configuration file. So far the program only works with the binary (paid) versions of WineX, but the author is working on a version for the public WineX CVS tree.

Astromarine wrote in with the following news regarding Laser Squad Nemesis:

Julian C Gollop (of UFO: Enemy Unknown and Laser Squad fame) has stated in the Laser Squad Nemesis forums that the Linux client is still in their plans, and will come out this year. In the meantime, the “software engine” version of their client has been reported to work well in Winexand VMWare, so for some people it’s playable in Linux now. BTW, LSN is doing quite well, having recently reached the 3000 subscribers mark. The next patch will probably be coming out this month, bringing along the third and last playable race, the Spawn.

The forum statement mentioned can be found in the Laser Squad Nemesis: OT, linux thread.

Version 0.99.5 of the laserdisc arcade game emulator DAPHNE (screenshots) has been released; changes include:

• added multi-cpu support
• added zlib CRC32 checking
• fixed crashes when using fullscreen mode and no hw acceleration
• added optional screen blanking when searching and/or skipping
• fixed command-line overflow bug

DAPHNE 0.99.5 source: daphne-0.99.5-src.zip

Worth noting is that this version sends non-personal info (CPU type/speed, video card, RAM, game title, OS, etc) to a central server to generate public statistics. If you don’t want information submitted, add the -noserversend switch to the command line.

A bunch of people wrote in to let us know that a tech demo Linux version of Ultima 1 – A Legend is Reborn (screenshots) has been released. This is a 3d remake of the original Ultima 1 which was released back in the “Let me whisper my last goodbyes” 1980s.

Ultima: ALiR tech demo download: Ultima1-tech25.tar.bz2

Ryan “icculus” Gordon wrote in to announce that the Linux server port of Medal of Honor: Allied Assault has entered a public beta testing stage. If you’re going to help test this, it is advised that you subscribe to the mailing list and create an account in the i.o bugtracking system.

MofH: AA beta server download: mohaa_lnxded_publicbeta1.tar.bz2

David Hedbor wrote in with the following announcement regarding Bust’em (screenshots):

Eon Games and Digital Concepts announces the release of Bust’em for Qtopia/OPIE devices such as the Sharp Zaurus and iPAQ handhelds. Bust’em is an addictive fast-paced action game featuringgreat graphics and sound, tons of levels and power-ups, and the Penny Arcade Fighters. Recently released for the Pocket PC platform and desktop PC, it is now also available to Linux PDA users.

Eon Games has also committed to port the other titles by Digital Concepts, such as Rocket Elite and the upcoming game Motocross Stunt Racer. A port of Bust’em for the Linux desktop is also planned. Stay tuned for more information.

Bust’em for Qtopia demo download: @ eongames.com (order page)

Version 1.2.10 of the Q3A/RTCW level editor GtkRadiant has been released; changes include:

• texture compression is supported (you have to run a card that does support it, with an OpenGL 1.3 driver)
• there is a new plugin in RTCW editing to edit .camera files

GtkRadiant 1.2.10 update: mirrors @ www.qeradiant.com (local copy)

Version 1.13.0 of the open source Civilization clone Freeciv has been released. Some highlighted changes and fixes for this release include:

• Citizen Management Agent (CMA) allows you to automate workers and specialists in cities.
• Sound support has been added.
• GTK 2.0 version of the client.
• Trade routes are more effective.
• Civ2 ruleset now has Fundamentalism.

Download: freeciv-1.13.0.tar.gz

Bill Kendrick of NBS sent in some news about New Breed Software’s archive’s called “The Lab”. This will be the place for random unfinished titles, obsolete Zaurus ports, and other miscellaneous stuff. So its a good place to look around in. You can find everything here: http://www.newbreedsoftware.com/lab/.

Version 1.17.2 of the RTS game engine FreeCraft has been released. Changes and or fixes for this release include:

• Random crashes with the latest FcMP release are removed.
• Editor saves now the movement map correct.
• Ai finds better place for townhalls and lumbermills and collects resources better.
• New triggers are available and executed triggers are removed.

Download: freecraft-020630-complete-linux.tar.bz2

David Law wrote in to let us know that his Q3A level mod Stauf’s Last Stand (screenshots) has been released:

Embraced originally from the early 1990′s PC titles The 7th Guest and The 11th Hour, old man Stauf is back in an immersive and incredible experience created exclusively for Quake III Arena.

Within these haunted rotting walls, the cackling demented toymaker Henry Stauf beckons your presence for one last round. Abolished are the tedious task of assembling pointless puzzles… the final hour has arrived, and its about drawing blood this time.

“Stauf’s Last Stand” not only sports a new environment, but also a completely new texture set, sounds, and music.

Created and produced by surprisingly, a legally blind level designer. For more information and to directly download this level, direct your browser to: www.retinalregeneration.com

Stauf’s Last Stand download: stauf.zip

sypher7 wrote in to point out the Neverwinter Wine site. The site focuses on running the NWN Toolset (which will not have a Linux port) in Linux via Wine. They are already having varying levels of success running the toolset.

zakk let us know that the 1.2 (Nakatomi) patch for Uplink has been released. This patch comes after six months of development. Changes include:

• new gameplay (much of it aimed at the Die Hard Uplink fans that we know exist)
• new addons that allow greater connectivity with other people also playing the game
• new theming options
• fixes long standing bugs
• puts the tools in the hands of the Mod community that will enable them to properly customize Uplink and add new content

Note that there are some audio issues with Uplink and information on resolving them are available in the audio section of the LG FAQ.

Uplink 1.2 patch download: linuxpatch1.2.tar.gz

James Daniels from Apex Designs wrote in to announce that Payback (screenshots: 1 | 2 | 3), a GTA-style game for the Amiga, is coming to Linux. The software renderer is nearing completion and the hardware renderer will be ported after that. The port is being done by none other than Dan Olson.

Version 1.1.0 of the children’s educational suite GCompris (screenshots) has been released; changes include:

• first revision with the gcompris-edit editor
• better management of locale changing
• added a bad icon in the locale selection that indicates the locale is not available
• added a quit icon in the bar to replace the home at upper menu level
• better icon list management in the shape boards
• changed the scale board to allow the placement of items in any order

GCompris 1.1.0 source: @ sf.net

Version 0.9.5 of the SDL-based OpenGL NetHack port glHack (screenshots) has been released; changes include:

• ported to NetHack 3.4.0
• fully functional software renderer
• option to horizontally flip monster tiles
• all fonts are now complete (no missing characters)
• a new “jumpscroll” option
• monsters that were drawn black on black in text view were fixed

glHack 0.9.5 downloads: @ glhack.sourceforge.net